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What is an Arrhythmia?

A cardiac arrhythmia is where the heart beats too fast, too slow or beats irregularly. It covers a range of conditions from a transient loss of consciousness (T-LOC) and Reflex Anoxic Seizures, to Cardiomyopathy and Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.

A Cardiologist explains

“An arrhythmia occurs when the normal electrical cycle of the heart is disturbed. Normally, tiny currents activate the top part of the heart (atrium), just before the bottom part of the heart (ventricles), which are the muscular chambers that pump blood around the body. Fast arrhythmias are referred to as ‘tachyarrhythmias’. When the heart goes too slowly due to a failure of electrical activation, it is referred to as a ‘bradyarrhythmia’.

Most arrhythmias arising from the top of the heart, (supraventricular) are troublesome but not life threatening. Many arrhythmias arising from the bottom of the heart, (ventricles), are life threatening. Many arrhythmias can be completely cured by keyhole techniques, (catheter ablation). Ventricular arrhythmias are often much harder to treat, and often require powerful drugs and implantable defibrillators to prevent premature death. Britain has very low rates of ablation and defibrillator implantation”.

Dr Adam Fitzpatrick, Consultant Cardiologist, Manchester Royal Infirmary

Patient Information

So there are 2 types of arrhythmia:

Bradycardia - a heart rate that is too slow, usually less than 60 beats per minute

Tachycardia - a heart rate that is too fast, usually more than 100 beats per minute

What causes an Arrhythmia?

• when the heart’s natural pacemaker (the SA node) develops an abnormal rhythm
• when the normal conduction pathway is interrupted or blocked
• when electrical impulses originate from another part of the heart